All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the Editor: Chester’s response to COVID-19
To: Chester Residents Re: COVID-19 In an effort to keep all of our residents and employees as safe as possible, the following is the Town of Chester’s response to COVID-19. This response will remain in effect until April 6, 2020, at which time we will reassess. Please read this information thoroughly so that you can […]
To the editor: Family Center changes process for food pickup
The Chester-Andover Family Center is putting new procedures in place regarding how we carry out our mission to make a difference in our community by providing resources for financial assistance, supplemental, nutritional food, affordable clothing and household goods. Beginning immediately, our Thrift Shop will be closed until Thursday, April 16. We will continue to provide […]
To the editor: Humane Society closes to public
The Springfield Humane Society will be closed to the public, including all volunteers, effective Wednesday, March 18. Adoptions will be handled online, and appointments will made once an application has been processed and approved. Please go to our website, our Facebook page, and our Petfinder page to see pets we have for adoption. Fill out […]
To the editor: Cavendish Library to close but continue offering some services
Out of concern for the community, the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library will close to the public until further notice. All library programs are cancelled until Monday, April 6, when the library board will make a further determination. During this time, we will be stocking the library entrance way with free books and movies, refreshed daily. […]
Op-ed: Trust in government depends on transparency Sunshine Week spotlights the importance of access to public information
By Jim Condos Secretary of State Trust in government is at an all-time low. As you can see playing out before our eyes in the news today, integrity is at a premium in times of crisis. Truth and transparency are necessary to effective leadership. In Vermont, we take great pride in having a government that […]
To the editor: Whiting Library closed til April 6
To limit the exposure to the COVID-19 virus, Whiting Library in Chester will be closed from Sunday, March 15 until April 6. This is a difficult decision; we do not want to disappoint our loyal patrons and all who rely on library services. Please know that we have the best interest of our volunteers, staff […]
To the editor: BRGNS switches to phone requests for food, assistance
Black River Good Neighbor Services has served the people of Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly, and Plymouth for over 40 years with food and financial assistance in times of need. With the global health crisis facing us now we realize that our services are more relevant than ever. Our volunteers and staff assure you that our […]
To the editor: Cavendish library board says no decisions made
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library Board would like our community to know that we are engaged in extensive conversations about the safety of the students of CTES and all of the patrons of this wonderful public library, including the children. We are in contact with the Board of Directors of the Green Mountain Unified School […]
To the editor: Overnight stays at Lowell Lake out for now
Lowell Lake Concerned Citizens has been informed by Michael Snyder, commissioner of Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation, that his department will not develop overnight lodging at Lowell Lake State Park at this time, stating in an email to the group that, “I have made a point of becoming well aware of your concerns and they […]
An open letter to state Rep. Bock on tree warden bill
Editor’s note: This open letter to Vermont Rep. Tom Bock was received on Feb. 26 from the Andover Select Board, prior to its Town Meeting on Saturday in which a new board member was elected. Dear Tom, We, the Select Board of Andover, Vermont, have read H.673, the tree warden bill that you co-sponsored and […]
Editorial: Vote ‘yes’ on the GM budget, then demand better
The $14 million Green Mountain Unified School District budget, which will go before the voters on Tuesday March 3, isn’t perfect. One glaring error is that the school board failed to fight harder to include the long promised foreign language program for the district’s elementary schools, but still managed to be 9 percent over last […]
Rep. Bock: Of two important bills, Scott vetoes one, takes no action yet on the other
By Rep. Tom Bock On the very first day of the 2020 session, Democratic leaders renewed their pledge to continue their work to strengthen the economy and make Vermont more affordable for working families. We are feeling the pinch of a shrinking workforce and an aging population. Currently in the state, there are about 55,000 […]
Sen. Clarkson: Census matters to Vermonters
By Sen. Alison Clarkson The Census matters. Two legislative committees were reminded last week of how important the data gleaned from it is for every state. Each decade since 1790 the U.S. Census Bureau has conducted an every household survey collecting data about our country’s people and the places they live. It is the leading […]
To the editor: A Valentine to Ruthie Douglas
On Feb. 14, 2016, a beloved family friend, Ruthie Douglas (Chester resident and Chester Chatter columnist), married Jim and I. Our marriage has been so blessed and we are fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives like Ruthie! Seven months later, Ruthie married my father-in-law, James Perry Sr., to his wife Paula Perry […]
To the editor: Vermont Timber Works rebuilding, but state makes it more expensive
Vermont Timber Works is excited to announce that just 3½ months after a fire devastated the business, the walls and roof are going up on its new facility, located on the existing property at 16 Fairbanks Road in North Springfield. A team of building professionals including Artisan Engineering, Bonin Architects, Record Concrete, LaValley’s Building Supply, […]
Telegraph Poll: On changes to Vermont’s recreational cannabis laws
The select boards of Chester, Londonderry and Weston have been discussing Vermont state legislation that would create a marketplace for recreational cannabis, weighing whether it is a good idea and what role they and their communities would play if it comes to pass. As a matter of fact, Londonderry residents will have the opportunity to […]
Rep. Pajala: Revamped Paid Family Leave flawed
By Rep. Kelly Pajala Two weeks in and the legislative session’s fever pitch is rising. With campaigning for re-election on everyone’s mind, political optics are fueling the fires as the Paid Family Leave and Minimum Wage bills are heading back to the Vermont State House floor. Although Week 1 was filled with speeches calling for […]
Sen. Clarkson: Housing a crucial need in Vermont
By Sen. Alison Clarkson It is wonderful to get back to work at the State House. The energy around the building is positive and productive. One of the pleasures of being a legislator in Vermont is serving in a legislature where we can work together. Over 90 percent of our votes are by consensus and […]
To the editor: Main St. enhancements among Derry residents’ improvement ideas
The Londonderry Planning Commission would like to thank everyone who contributed to Project Londonderry. The bright orange posters around town were filled with ideas and suggestions on what residents would like for their life in Londonderry. The four overriding themes expressed by residents were: Main Street enhancements; expanded basic life services; year-round recreation and entertainment; […]
Sharpe on Act 46: Were we hoodwinked? Former legislator looks at promises, realities of consolidation
By David Sharpe I am distressed by the proposals for school closings in Addison County. The legislature’s education committees took many weeks of testimony over a six-year period regarding how we move forward as a state in providing quality education for Vermont children in a way that taxpayers could afford. As the chairman of the […]
